June 12/08 6:17 am - Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic

On June 7th & 8th the National Sports Center Velodrome was the location of the inaugural Fixed Gear Classic

Daniele De Franceschi and Dave Byer of Jet Fuel Coffee represented Forest City Velodrome and below is Dave Byer's report

It was an all cat 1 field and better with some pros and Roberto Chiapa, an Italian sprinter with too many claims to fame to list. He is currently ranked 5th in the world and was 4th at the last world championships. and a multiple time world champion. Hungarian national Madison guys and a few more pros with some locals rounding out the field. The race was an "ominum" but it favoured sprinters with no pursuit and the points didn't go all the way down.

Racing started with a (flying) 200 followed by some more sprint events. The first enduro race was a points race. One rider got away and no one chased - thinking he is not a threat. Then the Hungarian jumped up and they worked together. The chase didn't go fast enough so I attacked. I ended up lapping the field by myself just after the2 leaders. Once I was in touch with the pack I recovered a little and moved up to the front for the last two sprints.

Daniele was already sitting in about 4th or 5th on points which is good for money and the overall and all I had to do was sit on his wheel for the sprints to pick up a couple of points and sew up the win. I was coming out of corner 4, but while I was passing a couple guys a rider went down and I ploughed over him toasting my front wheel and knocking some wind out of me. I couldn't get my bike fixed and back on the track within the 5 laps allowed so I was left with a DNF and a whole bunch of splinters instead of a win . This track is awful to crash on because you don't slide as easily and there are splinters like nails.